Validator Nodes in Meta Pool

Meta Pool has been focusing on the validator node since day one to support them with the benefits of liquid staking and governance delegation system, helping operators enter the NEAR Protocol ecosystem.

Meta Pool Node Programs

Objective

The Meta Pool Node Programs aim to implement concrete actions with the community, bringing Web3 infrastructure and blockchain technology closer together, so they can participate in the decentralization of the NEAR Protocol by operating validator nodes.

Professional Node Operators PNO

Program Objective

• The Professional Node Operators ( PNO) program is designed to support professional-grade validators on their path to self-sufficiency within NEAR, increasing the number of high-quality validator options on the network.

The PNO program is designed to support professional-grade validators on their path to self-sufficiency within NEAR, increasing the number of high-quality validator options in the network. The program contemplates that participants will receive a NEAR delegation for one year, boosting their staking capacity and visibility, along with direct access to strategic collaborations with the NEAR Foundation and other key stakeholders. They will also benefit from continuous technical support to optimize node performance and gain priority access to NEAR initiatives, including pilot programs, grants, and emerging developments.

Impact of the PNO Program

New validators through the PNO program will bring significant benefits to the NEAR ecosystem by fostering decentralization, enhancing security, and improving network performance and stability. With a larger validator set ensuring efficient transactions and promoting NEAR, the program drives community growth and adoption. NEAR expects validators to excel in technical performance by maintaining >97% uptime, providing 24/7 support, and operating in decentralized data centers. They must also work toward financial sustainability by increasing their stake over time. Additionally, validators play a key role in community engagement by advocating for NEAR, fostering developer participation, and expanding the protocol’s visibility through discussions, events, and promotional efforts.

Enterprise Node Operators ENO

Program Objectives

• Enterprise Node Operators (ENO’s): Targeted towards integrating enterprise-grade node operators with high expertise.

The primary goal of the ENO program is to enhance the NEAR Ecosystem’s institutional network by forging partnerships with enterprise-grade companies. These companies, in turn, facilitate the onboarding of their partners into the NEAR community, fostering a collaborative and interconnected environment that contributes to the overall growth of NEAR.

As the operational backbone of the program, Meta Pool plays a pivotal role in guiding and facilitating ENOs. This includes managing the distribution of staking allocated to the program.

Impact of the ENO Program

Meta Pool introduces the Enterprise Node Operators (ENO) program, marking a significant milestone in institutional engagement for the NEAR Ecosystem. In collaboration with the NEAR Foundation, Meta Pool has curated a strategic initiative that empowers top-tier companies to contribute to the NEAR community’s growth, security, and decentralization.

Understanding Validator Nodes in NEAR Protocol

A validator node in a blockchain is responsible for keeping a record of all network transactions, verifying them, and generating valid blocks to add to the chain.
In Proof-of-Stake (PoS) networks, validators run specialized software to manage transactions and forge blocks. These nodes are essential components of decentralized networks, helping to maintain security, integrity, and functionality. Nodes are computer systems that use their computing power to confirm transactions and act as the physical validation hardware of the process.

Validator Nodes in the NEAR Protocol

A validator node in the NEAR protocol is responsible for processing transactions and securing the network. Validators run specialized software to manage transactions and produce blocks. Becoming a validator requires holding an amount of tokens above the dynamically calculated seat price, which is determined by the total stake in the network and the number of active validators. Validators must keep their nodes online and stay connected to the official Slack channel for emergencies.

Types of Validators

There are two main types of validators in NEAR:

1. Block Producers: The top 100 validators by total stake. They produce blocks and validate chunks generated by other validators.
2. Chunk Validators (Endorsement Producers): Validators that validate portions of blocks (chunks) but do not produce blocks themselves.

The NEAR network currently supports up to 500 active validators — 100 Block Producers and 400 Chunk Validators — distributed across 8 shards under the Nightshade sharding architecture.

Unlike some other PoS networks, NEAR does not implement slashing, meaning validators do not lose funds for downtime or misbehavior.There is no maximum stake limit, allowing validators to continue growing their influence and rewards as more delegators stake to them.

FAQ Validator Node

1. What is a validator node in the NEAR Protocol?

A validator node is a special computer that actively participates in the maintenance and security of the NEAR network. Its main function is to verify and process transactions, create new blocks, and keep the blockchain running securely and decentrally.

2. Why are validators so important for NEAR?

They are crucial because they ensure the integrity and security of the network. Without validators, there would be no way to confirm transactions, create new blocks, or protect the blockchain from attacks. They are the “guardians” of the network.

3. How is a validator chosen in NEAR?

NEAR uses a consensus mechanism called Proof of Stake (PoS), specifically a variant called Thresholded Proof of Stake (TPoS). To become a validator, an entity must “stake” (lock) a certain amount of NEAR tokens as collateral. Those with sufficient stake and who meet certain requirements are selected to participate in block validation.

4. What is “staking” in this context?

“Staking” is the act of locking your NEAR tokens in a smart contract on the network as a form of commitment. This demonstrates that you have a vested interest in the proper functioning of the network.

5. What is needed to run a validator node on the NEAR Protocol?

To run a Block producer Validator Node, a system with 8 CPU cores, 48 GB of RAM, and 2TB of SSD is recommended.

To run a Chunk Validator Node, a system with 4 CPU cores, 8 GB of RAM, and 80gb of SSD is recommended.

6. What are the essential tasks of a validator?

• Verify Transactions: Confirms that transactions are valid and comply with protocol rules.
• Propose Blocks: Creates new blocks of transactions and adds them to the blockchain.
• Approve Blocks: Votes on and confirms blocks proposed by other validators.
• Maintain the Network: Runs the NEAR protocol software 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

7. What benefits does a validator receive for their work?

Validators are rewarded with new NEAR tokens for participating in consensus and maintaining the network. These rewards serve as an incentive for them to act honestly and keep the network operational.

8. What risks does a validator assume?

The main risks are:

Technical issues: Maintaining a node requires technical expertise and ensuring the infrastructure is always online and secure.

Token price crash: The value of rewards and stakes can fluctuate with the price of NEAR.

9. Do I need to be a technical expert to participate in the NEAR Network?

You can also participate in network security without being a direct validator by delegating your NEAR tokens to an existing validator.

10. What does it mean to “delegate” tokens to a validator?

Delegating means that, as a NEAR token holder, you can assign your stake to a validator of your choice. Your tokens remain in your control, but your voting power and contribution to the validator’s stake help them be selected and earn rewards. In return, the validator shares a portion of those rewards with you.

Validators Economy (Updated NEAR Version)

Validators are computers (or servers) that have staked enough NEAR tokens to participate in block production.

• The minimum stake required to become a validator is called the seat price.
• The seat price is dynamically calculated by the network based on the number of active validators and the total stake in the network.

Validators are responsible for processing transactions, producing blocks, and securing the NEAR network. Delegators can stake their NEAR tokens to a validator and share in the rewards without running a node themselves.

Staking Rewards and Inflation

The current NEAR inflation rate is 2.5% annually, distributed as follows:

• 90% to validators and their delegators
• 10% to the NEAR protocol treasury

Rewards are distributed every epoch (~7.3 hours).

The validator reward formula per epoch is approximately:

ValidatorRewards = TotalStake × Fee% × APY%

• TotalStake: total amount staked to the validator
• Fee%: validator commission rate
• APY%: annualized reward rate set by network inflation

Rewards are automatically restaked, compounding every epoch.

Auto-Staking

All rewards are automatically added to the validator pool:

• Rewards compound each epoch
• Delegators do not need to manually claim
• Increases the total stake and future rewards

Unstaking NEAR

To withdraw staked tokens:

1. Initiate unstake from your wallet or validator dashboard
2. Wait 3–4 epochs (~20–40 hours)
3. After this period, tokens become liquid and can be withdrawn or transferred

During the unstaking period, tokens do not earn rewards.

Summary Table

Extra resources

• Official post by NEAR Foundation: https://near.org/blog/near-token-supply-and-distribution/

Updated: December 12, 2025